Historic
The Legend of Black Caesar still haunts the Florida Keys
Black Caesar is an elusive character, a pirate of some renown who roamed the Florida Keys, or so goes the legend. We explore his lair, and so can you!
Micanopy and the Herlong Mansion: Slow down for Old Florida
Micanopy is right off I-75 near Gainesville, but it feels far away — like a small town in a Florida long gone. Its jewel is the 1845 Herlong Mansion B&B.
Free in Key West: Things to do without breaking your budget
No doubt about it: Key West is expensive. But despite its small size, Key West is packed with things to do and see — and some are even free. Here are a half dozen places to go where you’ll soak up Key West culture without opening your wallet.
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Koreshan State Park preserves wacky Florida history
Florida’s wackiness goes back to its first settlers, and Koreshan State Historic Site celebrates one of our earliest eccentrics. Thanks to this cult leader, though, a lovely wooded site on the Estero River was preserved through the years for us to enjoy. So go enjoy it.
St. Augustine: Castillo de San Marcos makes history fascinating
The don’t-miss experience when visiting St. Augustine is touring the Castillo de San Marcos — the historic Spanish fort.
Fort Matanzas: St. Augustine’s charming free fort reopens after storm
St. Augustine’s Fort Matanzas is a small stone fort on a pristine island. You take a short ferry ride for a ranger-led tour. The fort was closed for eight months after Hurricane Irma and recently reopened.
New things to do on Islamorada, a great stop in Florida Keys
There are excellent reasons to stop in Islamorada on your Florida Keys trip, including a cluster of cultural attractions. A new top-notch museum in Islamorada has a Clyde Butcher photo exhibit this summer.
Collier-Seminole Park: Kayak trail, camping near Naples
In the wild and watery world of southwest Florida, Collier-Seminole State Park near Naples draws people who love the natural Florida for camping, hiking and paddling. It’s also home to the 1924 Bay City Walking Dredge, and how often do you get to visit a “National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark”?
Flock to a wonderland of birds on tiny Pelican Island
The nation’s first wildlife refuge was created by President Teddy Roosevelt to stop plume-hunters from wiping out several species of birds. The birds are back, and spring is a great time to visit. (You’ll need a kayak for a closeup look.)
Amelia Island & Fernandina Beach: Beaches, hikes, historic sites and more
With eight state parks, a national park, scads of history and top beaches, Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach make a great base to explore northeast Florida.
Historic Desert Inn stands tall at Yeehaw Junction
The billboards on the Turnpike are gone, and so are the discount coupons, but the legendary Desert Inn is still kickin’ at Yeehaw Junction.
